The FIFA World Cup 2026 will unfold across North America from 11 June to 19 July 2026, stretching from the heat of early summer into the heart of July. For the first time, the tournament will be hosted by three countries and feature 48 national teams, making it the largest World Cup ever staged.
Matches will be played across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with cities spanning coast to coast. While the final draw and kick-off times are still to come, FIFA has already confirmed the full tournament calendar, including match dates, host cities, and stadiums. That structure alone gives a clear sense of how the month-long tournament will flow.
Below is the confirmed match schedule for the Group Stage, presented in a clear, readable format that mirrors how fans actually plan their time.
When the World Cup 2026 Takes Place
The tournament begins on Thursday, 11 June 2026, and concludes with the final on Sunday, 19 July 2026. The expanded format means a longer group stage, followed by a new Round of 32, before the traditional knockout rounds.
- Group Stage: 11–27 June 2026
- Round of 32: late June to early July
- Knockout rounds: early to mid-July
- Final: 19 July 2026
Where Matches Will Be Played
World Cup 2026 matches will take place across 16 host cities:
- United States: 11 cities
- Canada: 2 cities
- Mexico: 3 cities
From Mexico City’s altitude to Vancouver’s coastal air and New York’s summer evenings, the tournament will feel different depending on where you watch.
Also read: How to Buy World Cup 2026 Tickets
Group Stage Match Schedule
Kick-off times remain TBC and will be confirmed closer to the tournament. Teams listed as “To be confirmed” reflect qualification pathways that are still ongoing, consistent with FIFA’s official schedule.
Thursday, 11 June 2026
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 | Mexico vs South Africa (Group A) | Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City | TBC
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 | Korea Republic vs To be confirmed (Group A) | Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara | TBC
Friday, 12 June 2026
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 | Canada vs To be confirmed (Group B) | Toronto Stadium, Toronto | TBC
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 | USA vs Paraguay (Group D) | Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles | TBC
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 | Haiti vs Scotland (Group C) | Boston Stadium, Boston | TBC
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 | Australia vs To be confirmed (Group D) | BC Place, Vancouver | TBC
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 | Brazil vs Morocco (Group C) | New York New Jersey Stadium, New York / New Jersey | TBC
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 | Qatar vs Switzerland (Group B) | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area | TBC
Sunday, 14 June 2026
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 | Côte d’Ivoire vs Ecuador (Group E) | Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia | TBC
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 | Germany vs Curaçao (Group E) | Houston Stadium, Houston | TBC
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 | Netherlands vs Japan (Group F) | Dallas Stadium, Dallas | TBC
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 | To be confirmed vs Tunisia (Group F) | Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey | TBC
Monday, 15 June 2026
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 | Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay (Group H) | Miami Stadium, Miami | TBC
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 | Spain vs Cabo Verde (Group H) | Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta | TBC
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 | IR Iran vs New Zealand (Group G) | Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles | TBC
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 | Belgium vs Egypt (Group G) | Seattle Stadium, Seattle | TBC
Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 | France vs Senegal (Group I) | New York New Jersey Stadium, New York / New Jersey | TBC
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 | To be confirmed vs Norway (Group I) | Boston Stadium, Boston | TBC
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 | Argentina vs Algeria (Group J) | Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City | TBC
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 | Austria vs Jordan (Group J) | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area | TBC
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Wed, 17 Jun 2026 | Ghana vs Panama (Group L) | Toronto Stadium, Toronto | TBC
Wed, 17 Jun 2026 | England vs Croatia (Group L) | Dallas Stadium, Dallas | TBC
Wed, 17 Jun 2026 | Portugal vs To be confirmed (Group K) | Houston Stadium, Houston | TBC
Wed, 17 Jun 2026 | Uzbekistan vs Colombia (Group K) | Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City | TBC
(Group Stage continues daily through 27 June 2026, concluding all group fixtures.)
What Happens After the Group Stage
Once group play ends, the tournament moves into the Round of 32, a new addition for 2026. From there, the competition follows a familiar rhythm: Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, a third-place playoff, and the final.
The World Cup Final will take place on Sunday, 19 July 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New York / New Jersey, closing the tournament on one of the biggest sporting stages in the world.
Why the 2026 Schedule Matters For Fans
The World Cup 2026 schedule is not just a list of dates. It sets the rhythm of a tournament that will stretch across a continent, reshape qualification paths, and introduce a new scale of global football. Even before kick-off times and final line-ups are confirmed, the calendar itself shows how ambitious this edition will be.
As FIFA releases further details, this schedule will sharpen. For now, it offers a clear framework for planning, following, and understanding how the biggest World Cup in history will unfold.
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FAQs
When does the FIFA World Cup 2026 start?
The tournament begins on Thursday, 11 June 2026, with opening group stage matches played across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
When is the World Cup 2026 final?
The final will be played on Sunday, 19 July 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New York / New Jersey, according to FIFA’s official schedule.
How long does the World Cup 2026 last?
World Cup 2026 runs for just over five weeks, from 11 June to 19 July 2026, making it the longest edition in the tournament’s history.
How many matches will be played at the World Cup 2026?
A total of 104 matches will be played, reflecting the expanded 48-team format introduced for the first time in 2026.
Are kick-off times confirmed yet?
No. While match dates, stages, host cities, and stadiums are confirmed, kick-off times are still listed as TBC and will be announced closer to the tournament.
Why are some teams listed as “To be confirmed”?
Some fixtures depend on qualification outcomes and the final draw. FIFA currently lists placeholder teams for these matches, which will be updated once qualification and seeding are complete.
Which countries are hosting the World Cup 2026?
The tournament will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first World Cup staged across three nations.
